Happy Easter lovely readers! Sorry about the late update, but I was in Hawaii getting some much needed sun for spring break. How are you guys doing? Thank you as always for the lovely reviews, and as promised the drama officially starts now! I'm so excited for these final chapters, but a little sad to have everything wrap up. A lot will happen in these upcoming posts, so please be patient on how quick I update. I don't want to rush anything as it wouldn't be fair to you guys or these characters that I've truly grown to love. Oh and one more thing I do know that Quidditch ends around May, but as I've said before my timelines are different and I've changed things to fit my schedule hope no one minds. There will also be time jumps so bear with me please. Happy reading!
Violent Flint walked into her dormitory with a skip in her step. This Sweetheart's Day was definitely looking up when only hours ago she'd been glaring at everyone and everything for the lack of gifts she'd received.
"So Scorpius is fucking the littlest Potter," she sits at her vanity, running a silver-plated comb through her dark hair. "What would her brother say I wonder?"
She laughed to herself, knowing exactly what Albus' reaction would be. The only problem was how would she get the information to him? No one would believe a word from her about someone as sweet and innocent as Lily, so she'd have to think carefully.
Scorpius would pay for saying no to a witch like her – Violet would see to it. If he thought he could just throw her away when she'd been nothing but loyal he was about to have a rude awakening. There was no way she was going to allow someone as stupid as Lily Potter to end up being the next matriarch of the Malfoy family. If Violet didn't get that ring then neither would that ridiculous child.
How did she of all people worm her way into his bed? Worst of all how did she get Scorpius to say he loved her? Hearing him say those words had driven a knife straight through Violet, anger and jealousy tearing her apart. More than ten years had she been in love with him and not once had he ever felt anything towards her. It killed her. It killed her to know that worthless bint had made him fall in love only by spreading her legs like some whore. She must have given him some kind of love potion…That was the only for him to have felt anything towards the girl.
Potter didn't deserve him!
She was never drilled by her parents to be perfect in order to find a suitable husband.
She never went through those countless lessons that Violet and every other pureblood girl in her circle had gone through.
She should not be able to take one of the most important heirs in their world for her own when she was nothing.
Violet deserved him. The Malfoy name was meant for someone of her upbringing not for a child that still played dress up for Merlin's sake! The world would have to stop spinning for her to allow Potter a chance at what was rightfully hers. Astoria beat her mother years ago, but Violet would not lose Scorpius.
"I won't allow her to ruin my life," she threw the comb back onto the vanity, knocking over a bottle of perfume.
Potter should have just have fucked Scamander – Violet's smile returns at that last thought. Of course! No one would believe her if she said Lily was in a relationship with Scorpius, but who wouldn't believe Lysander? The bloke was in love with her anyway, so he would definitely cause a scene…
Touching up her makeup quickly she leaves the dungeons much faster than she had entered them, searching out the Ravenclaw. If she was lucky her time wouldn't be wasted waiting for him in the Great Hall. The faster Violet delivered the news the faster Scorpius and Potter would be under fire, hopefully Albus slapped the bint in front of everyone!
She squeals inwardly with excitement.
The feast had already began by the time she stepped foot into the hall, teachers and students alike enjoying what Weasley and the rest of the Prefects had set up for the festivities. Some of the ghosts were even in attendance, but Violet only cared about one guest in particular and he was standing only a few feet away.
"Lysander," she greets as if they were long lost friends, earning a look from his brother.
He blinked at her use of his first name. "Is there something you needed Flint?"
"You can call me Violet – we're about to get very close."
"Excuse me?"
"Can we talk without your shadow glaring at me?"
Lysander glanced over his shoulder to Lorcan. "Give us a second."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, go enjoy the feast."
Lorcan looked unconvinced, standing there for a moment longer before exhaling deeply and walking off towards the rest of the crowd.
"What do you want?" he asks her.
"Let's use a nicer tone with me, sweetie. What I'm about to tell you will have the power to ensure you get what that little heart of yours desires most in the world."
He cocked a brow. "And what's that?"
"Lily Potter."
His expression falters.
"Do I have your attention now?" she purrs.
"What do you know about Lily?"
"I know she has her attention where it shouldn't be…"
"Don't try to make yourself interesting, speak."
"Now, now, be nice. This type of information isn't just anything –"
"It comes with a price you mean."
"A small one, yes."
She closes the distance between them, running a sharp nail over the small patch of skin left shown by his opened collar. He swats her hand away and tries to step back, but Violet doesn't allow him to.
"I want you to promise me that you will do everything to keep her and Scorpius apart."
"What did you just say?"
"Promise me."
He takes her hand in a tight grip. "Tell me what you know."
"Your precious Lily Potter is fucking Scorpius Malfoy in secret. I saw them less than hour ago in a very intimate embrace and the word 'love' was thrown around a few times."
"You're lying…"
"Why would I lie to you?"
Lysander drops her hand, blue eyes frantically searching for Lily and finding her laughing with Hugo while on the other side of the hall was Scorpius. To anyone else Violet's words were nonsense because it couldn't be possible. Lily had never actually spoken to the bloke…
But all the signs were there.
That stupid bracelet around her wrist the day after her birthday.
The many times she had disappeared only to be seen hours later.
Her new attitude.
Then there was Scorpius who barley gave anything away, except for those small glances.
That smile when she walked into the Great Hall.
The way that even apart their bodies were leaning in towards each other.
"Where did you see them?" he glared down at Violet.
"Seventh floor in front of the Barnabas the Barmy tapestry."
"You're positive?"
"As positive as I am that you're standing right in front of me."
Lysander tried to control the thousand emotions running through him all at once. He'd known, somehow he'd always known. That day when he and Lily had gone on their first and only date Scorpius had walked into Madam Puddifoots when never before had he been seen in such a place, and then his eyes had only been on Lily no matter Heloise being there with him.
The signs only grew clearer, especially with the memory of Lily dancing with Scorpius at the Ministry Gala. Lysander had seen the way he'd held her and worst of all the way Lily had gazed up at him with…love.
"Why did you tell me this?"
"Because no one would believe the word of Slytherin like me if I said anything. I leave this information in your hands, don't let me down. Potter could be yours with Scorpius out of the picture so be smart about it."
He stares after her as she struts off towards the rest of her housemates, a smirk adorning her pug-like features. Somewhere next to him he hears Lorcan calling to him with his hand placed on his arm, but the room is closing in all around him – suffocating him. The image of Lily with Scorpius, kissing and…and being intimate all he could see and hear.
"I don't feel well," he's able to utter before pushing his way out of the Great Hall, his brisk steps turning into a full on run that carried him away from everything and into the safety of Ravenclaw Tower.
Once inside his dormitory Lysander slowly slid down to the floor, head falling against the door as he allowed Violet's words to fully sink in. He'd loved Lily for so long and it was his silence that had driven her to be with someone clearly unsuited for her, but now this was his chance to change all of that.
Scorpius would only tarnish her reputation and cause a drift between Lily and her family. She'd be left with nothing all because of her disgusting infatuation – because that's what it was, an infatuation. Lily was blinded by some stupid need to rebel and surely he only viewed her as some toy to get back at Albus with.
No, no he didn't. Lysander was sure that any man could see Lily's worth that went beyond her obvious beauty and Scorpius had fallen for her – it was impossible not to. That didn't change how wrong this was though. She would lose the respect people had for the Potter name because of her silly schoolgirl romance.
He needed to speak with Albus without a doubt, but perhaps it was best to make sure that Violet had seen more than just a kiss. If it had been nothing more than that then it would be unwise for him to cause a scene…he'd have to get all the facts. One thing was for sure: he would not be witness to Lily ruining her life. She would thank him later for his interference, for being there for her always.
The weeks pass without as much as a single clue to a secret relationship between Lily and Scorpius. They're careful, insanely so. At breakfast Lysander is sure to keep his gaze locked on every expression and glance given by either of them. He lets nothing slip past him, but it seemed that Violet had fallen into a moment of sheer luck with what she'd witnessed because Lysander had found no proof of anything. To be honest Lily seemed more interested in one of his housemates, Sophia. He'd seen her constantly keeping an eye on the other girl, going as far as to glare at her until she ate more than just the slice of toast on her plate. Scorpius too was giving nothing away, his attention never lingering anywhere near Lily.
"What in the world do you keep staring at?" Lorcan asks – voice heavy with annoyance. No doubt his twin was frustrated after the strange attitude he had taken these past days.
"Nothing."
"It's obviously something if it's turned you into some kind of zombie. Just look at you Lysander, you…are you even listening to me?"
Lysander rolled his eyes, finally turning away to look at his brother. "Do you need something? I don't need a lecture from you at this moment."
"A lecture from your older brother is exactly what you need."
"Older brother? We're twins –"
"I'm five minutes older, ergo your older brother. And as your older brother I have to tell you to let it go Lysander. You only keep hurting yourself more by thinking that one day Lily will turn to you."
Lysander stabbed his fork into the uneaten egg on the plate. "What do you know?"
"I know that she doesn't have the same feelings you have for her."
The egg's yolk runs over the plate, soaking the slice of toast and potatoes. Lysander watches the path made by the bright yellow liquid as if captivated by the sight. It reminds him of Scorpius, something shiny for Lily to be enthralled with, but then it ruins everything. Both the bread and potatoes were now left with a distasteful appearance after being touched by the yolk.
"She's confused," he murmurs, pushing the plate away from him.
Lorcan rolled his eyes. "What I'm going to say to you might be a bit cruel, but you need to stop acting like a child for once. Do you want a witch that will love you beyond words or a witch that will force herself to be content with her life, to settle?"
"She won't settle," he sneered.
"Do you really believe that she won't?"
"I've know her since we were children! I've loved her all my life and damn it all I'm the only person that will ever love her like this!"
"Are you hearing yourself? Everything you just said had something to do with you and what you think is right. Neither you nor Lily could ever be happy together because I don't even think you are in love with her. You want her yes, but if you loved her then you would be willing to give her up for the sake of her happiness."
"Are you done?"
Lorcan stared at him as if not recognizing the person in front of him. "What did Flint say to you at the Ball?"
"She made me realize that sometimes you have to be the villain to make sure everything falls in the right place. There are times where people should be made to remember where it is they exactly belong."
"I don't like what you're saying Lysander…"
Lysander stands from the table, fixing his Quidditch robes. "You don't have to like it. Just know that I am taking your advice more or less from a few years back. I don't plan on being quiet anymore, especially when she is making the worst mistake of her life."
He doesn't wait to hear anymore from Lorcan, following after his teammates to the Quidditch field where in less than an hour he'd go up against Scorpius in another matter. Lysander like all of the other seekers had more than once been beaten by him on the field, but he wouldn't allow the cup to fall into Slytherin hands yet again. That cup was just one more thing that he would take away from someone as worthless as that Death Eater spawn.
Henry Davies, the team's captain gives a motivating speech about how proud he was of all they had accomplished this season and that even if they lost this last game he would always remember playing beside them. Professor Flitwick joins them as well, giving them his own advice about always using their minds and never cheating. Everyone is bursting with excitement as they hear Hugo starting up the game. The last game for many.
"Lysander," Henry joins him where he stands at the front of the team line.
"Henry."
"I know you're feeling a lot of pressure right now, but like I said win or lose we're a team. You of all people know that and to be honest it's because of you we made it this far so what I'm trying to say is that once the game is over I'm handing you the badge."
Lysander's eyes widen. "What about Emily?"
"She was actually the one that suggested it and I completely agreed. Congrats, mate."
"I won't let you down."
"Don't let the badge down," Henry grins. "And hey Malfoy is quite good don't feel bad if we don't end up with the snitch."
Lysander's mood immediately grows somber once more. For a second he thought about being a prick and telling Henry where to put his advice, but it wouldn't have been fair to attack him when he wasn't the thorn at his side.
"Have fun out there Scamander."
"You too."
His reply was barely one, though Henry doesn't seem to notice the lack of excitement as he turns back to face the entrance of the tunnel. Lysander does the same shortly after, but his attention wasn't on the sounds coming from the pitch or even on this moment at all. He was lost in his own thoughts – thoughts of Lily, Scorpius, and of himself. Lorcan had been afraid to hear him voice out such cold words and frankly he had as well, and now everything was suffocating him again.
Do you want a witch that will love you beyond words or a witch that will force herself to be content with her life, to settle?
Hearing Lorcan say that to him had hurt him more than anything. It hurt him because deep down he knew how right his brother had been. Lysander could fool himself into thinking that one day Lily would love him and maybe she would if she forced herself to. Forced. It was a horrible word and it would break her spirit – a fiery, brilliant spirit.
Could he live knowing that he had been the one to break her?
"Today's game is not only the final game of the season, but it's also the final game here at Hogwarts for many of these players. Henry Davies will get to continue his path in Quidditch with the Chudley Cannons," Hugo says from the commentator's box. "Let's all wish him the best and hope he doesn't last too long in a team that changed their motto from "We shall conquer" to "Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best". Scorpius Malfoy will also be trading in the old green and silver for a Ministry badge as he takes up the fancy position of Senior Undersecretary to the Minister himself! In other words he now has the power to fuck us all over, so best of luck to anyone that was ever rude to him and wants to have a life anywhere in Great Britain."
Lysander's hold on his broom tightens considerably. Scorpius could keep every fancy title there was, but why should he be allowed to keep Lily for himself? He hated Albus! His entire existence went against what her family had fought against! Why did he have to fall for her when he had never seemed to look her way?
"The moment we've all been waiting for ladies and gents! Slytherin and Ravenclaw will fight for the coveted Quidditch Cup in a game to the death. Will Scorpius Malfoy go into Hogwarts' history as the undefeated champion? Or will Lysander Scamander win it all for Davies and the Ravenclaw team? Enough questions, bring out the contenders!"
Henry gives the team a smile before flying off, leading them onto the field where cheers circulated all around and the stands dawned only the colors of the two teams playing. Scorpius and his team were on the right of Madam Hooch, Derrik slicing the air with his bat noisily as he sized up his counterparts.
"I want a fair game," Madam Hooch looks between Henry and Scorpius. "Slytherin has the call for the coin toss."
"Heads," Scorpius says.
The galleon is tossed into the air and swiftly caught by Madam Hooch. "Slytherin will have the quaffle first. Good luck."
At the sound of her whistle they soar into the sky, seconds after the snitch is released and as always out of sight faster than anyone could blink. Lysander still his broom, hovering in the air a few feet away from where Scorpius had done the same.
Scorpius nods at seeing him near. "Scamander."
Lysander can only stare at him, trying to see what it was that made Lily go against everything she knew. Scorpius was wealthy and supposedly one of the last true pure-bloods, but he doubted that was what attracted Lily. The bloke didn't even look to have a kind bone in his body so why had she give him something as sweet as her love? Had she given him more – No! He couldn't imagine Lily allowing Scorpius to put his disgusting hands all over her.
"Is there something you'd like to say to me?" Scorpius asked.
There were a lot of things that Lysander would like to say to him and yet he couldn't voice any of them. All he wanted to do was erase every thought of them together from his head. To go back in time and tell Lily how he felt from the very beginning. His honesty could've prevented this entire situation.
"Let's just get through this game," he mutters, glancing around for the snitch.
"By all means say what you feel I'm all ears."
"I said let's get through this game."
Scorpius studied him, appearing surprised by this newfound attitude of his. Well, good! Lysander wanted him to realize that he wasn't just a doormat to be walked all over with. He wouldn't stop fighting for Lily.
"Have we finally found our bark?"
Lysander ignores the taunt, eyes still searching for the snitch when he catches sight of Lily in the Gryffindor stands. Her entire presence radiated stronger than the sun itself. As cheesy as it may sound her beauty went beyond anything he could ever say.
How could she have allowed herself to be so foolish?
Of all the men on this bloody planet – muggles included, why did she have to love Scorpius Malfoy of all people? Could life really be this cruel? He'd rather see her ending up with some simple muggle that knew nothing of magic over seeing her with the Slytherin. It'd kill him, but it'd be better than seeing her waste away because of a stupid mistake.
A sudden movement brings him back into the game where he sees Scorpius racing past him to catch what could only be the snitch. He does the same, pushing his Comet forward until he's neck to neck with him.
"Malfoy and Scamander are closing in on the snitch!" Hugo narrates excitedly. "Now we've seen a scene like this back in October where Malfoy came out victorious, holding up the snitch with that lucky arm of his. Will he be able to pull a breakneck stunt like last time? Scamander is talented – beat out our very own Albus when he caught the snitch in a match where Gryffindor had been winning, so maybe he'll get lucky. I don't know about you guys but this game is already giving me some heart issues."
Scorpius' fingertips touch the snitch, but it's thankfully gone within seconds. The last thing Lysander needed was to end up looking as stupid as the Hufflepuff seeker when he was beaten less than a minute into the game. He had already been humiliated more than enough and if that were to happen Lysander wasn't sure he'd be opposed to aiming a hex into Scorpius' arrogant face.
"And like that our game continues tied at zero to zero! Fun fact: the snitch being used today was actually used the last time Slytherin faced Ravenclaw in 1950 where Achaeus Greengrass – Malfoy's great-grandfather – led the complete destruction of Ravenclaw, beating them by more than three hundred points. Make your great-granddaddy proud Malfoy!"
Did Hugo know, Lysander wondered. He was the commentator, so favoritism wasn't supposed to be showed for any team, but the way he so easily spoke about Scorpius was annoying. Lily was always close to Hugo…Was he an accomplice in this?
"You look like you're having a mental breakdown," Scorpius comments.
"Would you stop speaking to me? We aren't friends, Malfoy."
Scorpius looked amused and it irked him to see that his tone was taken for the other's amusement. He wasn't trying to be funny!
"Come on Scamander tell me what has your panties in a twist?"
"Fuck you."
The noise around them fades, neither appearing to care or notice that one of their teams has finally scored. Lysander thinks it might have been Slytherin, but he could care less at this moment. Is Lily watching him and Scorpius? He snorts. She's probably more worried about her precious Death Eater than him.
"I really must have done something to piss you off," Scorpius chuckles. "Did I eat your dessert before you could have a bite?"
He sees red. The words twisting his stomach unpleasantly to the point that he might hurl because of how sick this all was. A part of him also felt insulted that Scorpius and Lorcan had made him appear as if he only wanted Lily like a child wanted a shiny toy. He loved her! He loved her more than anyone ever could.
You sure about that? Because to me it looks like you're just angry at not having what you think is rightfully yours…
Lysander silences the voice in his head that agrees with Lorcan – the rational part of him. The part of him that made him a Ravenclaw. Right now the only side he wanted to listen to was the irrational part that screamed at him to fight for what he wanted.
"Do you really want to know what's bothering me?" he forced the words through his teeth.
"Please. The suspense is killing me."
"What's bothering me is that you think you can erase everything your family did by manipulating someone that is obviously not thinking straight. That through them you can pretend to be someone you're obviously not."
"And who exactly is it that I'm manipulating?"
Slytherin scores again or at least he thinks they have from the commotion coming from the green and silver adorned side of the pitch. He spots the snitch behind Scorpius, near the Gryffindor stands.
"You know exactly who I'm talking about," he replies before hurrying towards the snitch.
Scorpius easily catches up to him, the agility of his Firebolt better than that of his own Comet unfortunately.
"Malfoy and Scamander have spotted the snitch yet again while the score is now at twenty to zero, Slytherin leading the scoreboard!"
The distance between him and Scorpius begins to grow, but he won't give in. Lysander speeds up until he can clearly see the snitch that was almost in his rival's hand. He knows it's wrong. That he shouldn't. But he still does. As he shortens the distance once more he knocks his shoulder into Scorpius', causing him to lose the snitch and almost spinout.
"What's wrong with you!" Scorpius shouts out, regaining his balance.
He says nothing when he suddenly feels a gust of wind slamming into him, his broom giving out from underneath him and it's his tight grip that keeps him from falling straight onto the ground below.
"Merlin's beard, Scamander is hanging off the end of his broom!"
Lysander hoists himself back onto his broom carefully, though his broom still felt strangely unsteady.
"Trying out for the ballet?" Scorpius drawls.
The reply he was about to give cuts short at seeing the one person he'd never imagine wanting to hurt him. Lily. Unlike everyone around her she doesn't seem surprised at all that he'd almost fallen off his broom, her hand slowly moving away from her mouth.
She'd hexed him.
Had almost hurt him for Scorpius.
There it is, he thinks to himself. The one sign he needed to know the truth of their relationship.
A wave of hurt rocks through Lysander. It's like a spider web, intricate, yet strong. The world around him distorted slowly and when it came back into focus he realized what Lily was capable of doing for Scorpius. Did all these years of friendship mean nothing to her?
That's when his anger comes, unleashed without thought of consequence. It burned so bad like fire lacing his veins and creeping up his spine, his skin was a sore looking red but all he could feel was desire; desire to hate. Mild manner Lysander – intoxicated with an emotion he had no intention of ever feeling.
Scorpius turns around slightly to follow his gaze, finding it locked on Lily. Her green eyes, falsely innocent stare back at them both before resting her head on Albus' shoulder, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to shield her from the cold.
Albus.
Albus was the answer to everything.
When Scorpius faced him again he was sure all the hate he felt was visible in his expression, but the Slytherin is just as emotionless as always. There was no ounce of fear at having possibly been discovered, nor did he beg for Lysander's silence. Nothing. He showed nothing.
"Some people like to go for what's out of their reach, but there is a reason why certain things cannot and will not be for them."
His words though spoken softly echo louder than the game. He wishes more than anything that Scorpius would show at least one ounce of emotion even if it was annoyance. But he doesn't.
"Are you done?"
Lysander's eyes narrow at Scorpius' cold tone.
"Save the advice for yourself Scamander. I dare say you'll need it more than I when you realize that in fact there will at times be something we want that is out of reach and we should fight for it so long as the feelings of want are mutual. Do you think there are mutual feelings in what you want?"
Scorpius doesn't wait for his reply, flying higher up to get a better view of the pitch and spot the snitch.
"Slytherin scores again! They are slowly inching their way to the Cup, but Ravenclaw still has plenty of time to get their name on the scoreboard while the snitch has yet to be caught by either Malfoy or Scamander. If you still haven't placed any bets place them now!"
The game was a series of unstructured lines, players going back and forth; up and down, the quaffle flying overhead only to be caught by someone on the opposing side. Players ducked before being hit by either a bludger or another oncoming player – movement, never ending movement. From the stands students shouted in support and even some of the professors allowed themselves a moment of freedom, showing their own excitement.
It wasn't an easy match. The few times Slytherin had been able to score were only due to a small fault in the Ravenclaw defense that when fixed later made it impossible to get by. Derrik on the other hand was the main reason for the lack of points on the Ravenclaw side of the scoreboard. He was impossible to get through, hitting more than a decent amount of players with a bludger and sticking close to the goalpost at all times.
No one blinked in fear of giving the advantage to their opponent. While the whole school could only hope that the game didn't run three months long as it once did according to Quidditch through the Ages and as Hugo was currently mentioning after having entered the fifth hour of the game.
"I'm just saying that this game better end before either team captain has to graduate or more importantly before Malfoy has to see his hairstylist for his monthly appointment to touch up those tricky roots – HEY!" Hugo covered his head as Scorpius flew over the commentator's box.
The snitch was fluttering over the Slytherin goal posts, taunting them all. Its gold exterior shining under the late afternoon sun to create a movement of color on the tallest post.
"No one make a sound!" Hugo whispered. "Malfoy has spotted the snitch right above Slytherin keeper, Kenton Shaffer. How he plans on getting it without taking down Shaffer and getting himself killed in the process is beyond me. Finally some excitement! Meanwhile Scamander is too busy picking flowers on the other side of the pitch."
Lysander scowled as he raced into the swarm of players – barely avoiding a bludger to the head, but not able to get through the barricade formed by Derrik and two other Slytherins.
"Scamander is intercepted! This game is seconds from being over if Malfoy can get his hands on the snitch!"
The whole pitch grows silent with all eyes on Scorpius as he slowly climbed onto his feet atop his Firebolt.
"Merlin and Morgana, Malfoy has gone absolutely mad!"
Scorpius inched closer to where the snitch sat while ignoring how high up he was and how dangerously close his feet were to the edge of his broom.
"I can't watch," Hugo covered his eyes, peeking through his fingers.
Lysander tried pushing past the swarm of players only to be blocked again and again until he finally gave up, watching Scorpius as he underwent a suicide mission. Somewhere in the stands he knew Lily was also staring at the scene in absolute horror. Was it completely awful of him to wish the moron would fall onto the ground below?
"Malfoy you better not die," Derrik murmurs.
Everyone gasps in unison at seeing Scorpius stumble for a second before catching himself and standing back up without ever losing focus. His right arm is outstretched, fingers almost touching the snitch.
"No one tell me if he falls," Hugo says.
Kenton was ready to catch Scorpius should he fall, but tried to stay still all the same as to not scare off the snitch and ruin what was now a sure victory for their team.
Slowly, inch by inch. Almost…Shite!
Scorpius lunged for the snitch when it was about to fly off, body colliding with the post harshly as he fell through the hoop.
"He's dead! He's dead! Oh my sweet Merlin, he's dead!"
The entire Slytherin team barreled towards their captain at seeing the dramatic fall only to stop short as Scorpius' trustful Firebolt caught him midair. In his hand the one sign of victory: the snitch.
"Holy shite! Malfoy has caught the snitch! Slytherin has defended their title as Hogwarts' Quidditch Champions!"
The Slytherins explode with cheers – fists in the air and eyes flung wide. They are electrified, awake, soaring to new heights of emotion. Every single person dawning green chants Scorpius' name until even Hugo throws up his notecards.
"Screw it," he says. "You go Malfoy!"
When Scorpius lands Derrik leads the team over to him, congratulating him and wanting to have a moment with the man of the hour in his last game. As they revel in their victory the Ravenclaw team watched on with disappointment and one with anger at the loss.
"Good work out there Lysander," Henry offers a smile, but Lysander could care less about what the other wizard had to say. His eyes are only on Lily as she bit down on her lip to keep her smile at bay.
"Malfoy has achieved what every player on these four teams want: to be remembered! He started his journey as seeker back in his second year and became captain during his fifth year, winning the moniker of Slytherin King each time he caught that snitch. While today he hands over the badge to Roman Aragon his name will be added to our trophy room where only the best get to be."
Madam Hooch accompanied by Headmistress McGonagall, Professor Slughorn and Professor Flitwick step onto the stage that had magically appeared on the pitch. In the middle of the stage was the enormous, silver trophy cup, with four handles designed after the four Houses' emblematic animals.
"There it is the Quidditch Cup in all its glory," Hugo grins. "For the first years that may not know this the Cup is traditionally kept in the office of the reigning champions' Head of House; Professor Slughorn has held this honor for the past five years. While there is no award given to the losing team, Professor Flitwick will perform the handover of the badge to the team's new captain."
"Are you coming?" Henry calls to Lysander at seeing him not heading to the stage.
Lysander turned his glare away from Lily. "Yes," he follows.
The ceremonial handover is not as exciting as it would have been for Lysander years ago not only because of the loss, but because of who he had failed to beat. Scorpius would never face him in another game after today and Lysander's ego was beyond bruised at knowing there would be no rematch. He hated knowing that Lily was amongst the crowd watching her lover enjoy his blasted win as if he deserved anything in this world.
"With Scamander now at the helm of the Ravenclaw team we move onto the Slytherin handover and trophy presentation!"
Lysander watched bitterly while Scorpius was cheered as he stepped onto the stage with Roman Aragon, the team's replacement seeker. Professor Slughorn proudly shook Scorpius' hand and awarded him an honorary badge on an elegantly crafted wooden board. Madam Hooch even gave him a quick hug, recalling his first flying lesson with her and wishing him the best no matter his chosen career.
"Are you alright Lysander?" Emily asked.
"I just don't know why we're making such a big production for Malfoy," he replied.
"Even I have to admit he's a great Quidditch player."
He scoffed.
"Hey, we win some and we lose some. You did well out there."
"Not well enough apparently."
Once Derrik had received his own award for his skills as beater the Slytherin team eagerly awaited the trophy presentation with Scorpius front and center. This was the moment that came only with hard work and true talent; the moment every team captain here wished they could have experienced.
"Finally, the trophy presentation! After six intense matches where three teams battled it out and Hufflepuff did whatever it is Hufflepuff normally does, Malfoy will lift the Quidditch Cup one last time!"
Madam Hooch carefully took the silver trophy from where it sat before handing it to Scorpius and stepping back for him to lift it into the air. When it's above his head an impressive display of colorful confetti exploded onto the pitch alongside another wave of boisterous noise. The Slytherin team celebrated, passing the trophy around them or in Derrik's case popping open a bottle of champagne to dump on Scorpius.
"And with the Slytherins celebrating their claim on the Quidditch Cup this is how we end another season of the most beautiful sport in the world. While we bid farewell to a number of players and welcome new faces onto the pitch, one thing is for sure: Scorpius Malfoy is graduating and Gryffindor might actually win after five years! This is Hugo Weasley, Hogwarts' number one commentator signing off."
It's an array of movement all around as the students all climb onto the field – some to bask in the glory of victory and others mourn the loss together. Lysander doesn't fit into either side of the pitch. His feet are moving, carrying him to his only objective.
"Albus, can I speak with you?"
Spring washed in like the tide, advancing confidently with warmth and white sunshine one day and retreating the next. On some days the new vibrant hues of the pansies and daffodils were bathed in tepid air that encouraged them gently, on others the wintry wind gusted fiercely - demanding a return to the bitterness of the months before. But like the tide, the spring would not be stopped, it pushed on right into April, banishing the chill to memory.
The blossoms arrive like cake frosting on the trees in delicious creams and pinks. The petals burst out from lower down the branches leaving the tips still in tight bud. After the denuded trees of winter their new and splendid clothes are a joy to see. Spring, spring was the season of rebirth and beauty.
"You're so beautiful," Scorpius murmured in awe as Lily smiled into the tulip he'd given her earlier today.
"You've said that already," she laughs softly, setting down the flower and walking over to where he was leaning against the one of the bed posts.
"And I'll continue to say it every day for the rest of our lives."
She lifting herself onto her toes, kissing him sweetly. "Can't you skip tonight's rota?"
"Again?"
"Yes."
He chuckled, holding her to close to him and running a hand through her long hair. "As much as I want to stay in bed with you I fear Weaslette will murder me for missing the last rota before the Easter Holiday."
"I won't let her hurt you."
"You'll protect me?"
She grins. "For you I'll face Rose's wrath."
"You really must love me."
"So, so much."
"You're making it hard for me to say no."
"Then don't say no to me," she loosens his tie. "We haven't had a lot of time to be together as of late with Albus wanting to be with me every second of the day."
Scorpius frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"There's something I have to tell you that might be the reason for Albus' sudden attitude…"
"Go on."
"Lysander knows about us –"
Her eyes widen. "Are you sure?"
"The day of the Quidditch match he more or less told me that I needed to know my place and that certain 'things' weren't meant for everyone."
"Lysander spoke to him," she murmurs. "But why hasn't Albus said anything?"
"There's no proof of our relationship."
"So he's probably trying to find it."
"Most likely. Don't worry, I'm going to speak with my father the moment I walk into the Manor tomorrow and we'll go from there."
"No more secrets," she sighs happily.
"I get to take you on a real date."
Lily glanced around the Room of Requirement, eyes falling on the unmade bed and all the trinkets she had added to the furniture Scorpius mended throughout their time here. "I'm going to miss our time here…"
He snorts. "You're going to miss being in a dusty room with spiders at every corner and what I'm sure is a bird's nest on that cabinet over there."
"It adds character."
"It adds risks of airborne illnesses aside from being eaten alive by a spider."
"Does a little dust upset your delicate, feminine sensitivities?" she bit her lip in amusement before letting out a squeal as he pushed her onto the bed, his body hovering over hers.
"What have I said about that smart mouth of yours?"
"That you love it when it's wrapped around –"
Scorpius kissed her, cutting her words short and smothering her laughter. "You're incorrigible Lily Potter."
"What are you going to do about it?"
"I'm sure I can up with something," he nipped at her jawline. "But it'll have to wait because if I stay in here a minute longer Weaslette will have my head on a silver platter."
"Tell her you were too busy making her cousin a very happy witch to tend to her temper tantrums."
"Something tells me that won't float well with her," he stands back up, holding out his hand for her to take.
"Will I see you on the train tomorrow?"
"Of course. Meet me in Compartment F, yeah?"
She nods happily, resting her head on his shoulder as they step out of the Room of Requirement and into the quiet corridor. There was a soft breeze wafting through the castle – warm and calm, making for the perfect night. Lily looked back to the stone wall where their secret room lay behind. It wasn't that she'd never see it again, but if things went as Scorpius wanted them to then there would be no need to hide in there anymore.
Scorpius pressed his forehead to hers. "I'll miss this place too. As much as I dislike its…character we have a lot of happy memories in this room."
Lily smiled up at him, leaning up to kiss him. His warm lips against hers caused shivers to run up and down her spine as they always did. She wrapped her arms around Scorpius' neck and pushed her fingers through his soft hair. She didn't think she could be happier when she was suddenly pulled out of her blissful existence by a fierce tug on her arm that had her tumbling out of Scorpius' hold and onto the floor. She glared up at her assailant and into the furious eyes of her brother, Albus.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?"
"Do you want me to knock?" Dominique asked Anton after they'd been standing in front of the plain white door of a small home on the outskirts of Wiltshire for the better part of ten minutes now.
He shakes his head, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door himself. From inside they hear the sound of stomping feet coming towards them and for a second he thinks of taking Dominique's hand and just apparating out of this entire situation. There's no time. The door swings open to reveal the child he'd seen in Diagon Alley, smiling up at them with her front tooth missing.
"Hi," she says.
It's Dominique that returns the greeting, Anton still feeling like he was about to throw up all over the front porch. "Hello. Is your mother home?"
"Lucy what did I tell you about opening the door –"
Anton's stomach churned at the voice, glancing away from the child and to Darcy who had appeared. She was shocked from the looks of it, but also appeared to be equally infuriated by the sight of Dominique at his arm.
"What are you doing here?" she asks coldly.
Lucy tugged at her mother's skirt. "Who are they Mummy?"
Darcy ignored the child. "What are you doing here?" she repeats.
"I need to speak with you," Anton finally replied.
"We have nothing to talk about and we were just on our way to the park –"
"It won't take long," Dominique cuts in, seeing Anton's intention of leaving. "We could join you so that your evening isn't interrupted…"
"We," Darcy sneered as she said the word. "Sorry who are you again?"
Anton rolled his eyes – Darcy knew exactly who Dominique was. "Would you stop being a child for once? I'd like to speak with you…please. It'll only be a few minutes I assure you."
Darcy huffed. "You have ten minutes, but we're going to the park."
"Lead the way," Anton motioned with his free hand.
"Let's go Lucy."
They don't have to apparate; the park – a muggle park was just around the corner. It wasn't too busy given the late hour, but there were still a few children running around and the odd dog walker.
"Can I go down the slide?" Lucy asked.
Darcy lets go of her hand, not at all seeming interested what the child wanted to do. "Stay where I can see you."
"I can go with her and let you two talk," Dominique offers a small smile to Anton, following after Lucy.
Damn it, Anton groans inwardly. He needed Dominique at his side for that much needed moral support, not playing babysitter over by the playground.
"You wanted to talk," Darcy sits on a bench with her arms crossed.
He sits down after taking a deep breath, something he'd been doing the whole day to be honest.
She's watching him with a guarded expression. "What do you want?"
"Closure," he says.
"Closure," she laughs mockingly.
"Yes."
"For yourself or because she won't let you get between her legs until you forget me?"
Anton bites his tongue. "Look, I'm not here to fight and I would rather you not drag Dominique into this because no matter what you think she has no ill intentions towards you."
"I always knew you felt something for her. I saw the way you would glance at her just like all the other idiots at Hogwarts. Did you sleep with her while you were with me?"
"Seriously? You're asking me that when you have a child that if we put our heads together and do the math would mean that you fucked someone following the end to our relationship. You have absolutely no right to ask me if I was ever unfaithful."
"I never meant to get pregnant," she glanced over to her daughter. "I moved to America and met her father – a wizard as well. We had a few drinks…nine months later she was born. I was angry at what you did to me."
"What I did to you –"
"You left me Anton! I waited hours for you to meet me in front of our portkey until I realized you'd chosen your bloody family over me."
He shakes his head in disbelief. Was she honestly blaming him for everything?
"You told me so many times that you loved me and chose them in the end."
"They're my family –"
"And what was I to you? Was I just another mudblood to fool around with?"
"I never saw you like that and you know it!"
Darcy glared. "I asked you to leave with me. If you loved me there would never have been a choice –"
"And if you loved me, you never would have made me choose. You're pointing a lot fingers at me, but do you even care to know how I felt? Do you care to know that for six years I drowned myself in alcohol and stopped speaking to my own brother? I blamed him and Iryna for my pain and I see now that they saved me from making the worst mistake of my life. I blamed them because I hated facing the truth. The truth that is me not loving you."
She winced at his words. "How can be so cruel as to say that to me?"
"I'm being honest, not cruel. Cruel was you giving me an ultimatum and telling me that my family didn't love me because I was just the spare. That they wouldn't even miss me if I left because they had Bastian. Cruel is you enjoying your life so easily when I felt like a monster for leaving you."
"I needed to make you choose because I knew that they would never have let us be together!"
"You made me choose because you didn't love me! Because you only cared about what you wanted and didn't give a fuck about how I felt at the thought of leaving my parents, my family behind."
"I loved you – I still do Anton."
"I don't think that's true Darcy. I think you wanted to be the one to say that you were able to make a pure-blood male leave everything for a muggle-born. You hated my kind for how they treated you and in my stupidity I allowed you to play with me until the end."
"I won't deny having that goal at first..."
Anton laughed without humor.
"But then as I got to know you I fell in love. You were so different from the rest of the pure-bloods…"
"You mean I was more stupid?"
"No! You were kind and actually seemed to care about me –"
"That's because I did care Darcy."
"Did? You don't care about me now?"
"I don't feel anything for you now."
"Is it because of her – that stupid pure-blood over there?"
"Careful. I won't let you offend Dominique."
Darcy glanced around the park desperately as if searching for something to save her from the reality of his feelings for the other witch.
"Give me a second chance," she begs abruptly, eyes desperate.
"What?"
"I'll erase the pain of all these years Anton just give me a second chance. You weren't willing to make the choice to leave your family, but I am. If you ask me to leave with you this very moment I will."
Anton stared at Darcy in disgust. "You have a child –"
"She was a mistake."
"How can you say that? How can you be such an awful human being?"
"Don't judge me for loving you."
"You're sick! She's you're daughter and you'd be selfish enough to abandon her just as your mother did to you."
"Never mention that woman to me!"
"Mummy?" Lucy called as she and Dominique walked back to them, both worried at having heard them shouting.
Anton stood up from the bench, taking Dominique's hand. "You asked me if I felt anything for you and I'd like to change my answer. I feel sorry for you Darcy. I'm sorry that your mother didn't choose you when she abandoned you in that orphanage. I'm sorry that even after a war people still continued to treat muggle-borns like filth. I'm sorry that you would be willing to choose yourself over someone that should mean the world to you."
"Anton –"
"The day I have children I will always choose them over everyone else, including myself," he goes on, his hand shaking against Dominique's. "I hope that one day you can be the mother that your daughter deserves. Goodbye Darcy."
Anton walks off before she can reply, his pace brisk and almost impossible for Dominique to keep up with in her heels. He keeps walking until both the park and the past that had plagued for so long are far from view.
"Anton, please slow down. I can't in these shoes."
He stops at hearing Dominique's voice calling to him. They're standing on a bridge overlooking the River Avon, its water glistening under the fading sun.
"Anton," she places a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"She asked me to give her a second chance," he says, staring straight at Dominique. "I want you to know that because I don't want there to be any secrets between us. Darcy was willing to leave her husband and child for her own selfish reasons."
Dominique looked just as appalled as he'd felt moments ago.
"For the longest time I would have nightmares of her begging me to choose her – it's why I rarely slept. I'd wake up before I said anything and I remember wondering every day what my answer would've been. Today I had that chance, but do you know what came into my head at that moment?"
"No."
"I thought about you," his lips curve up slightly. "That if you were the one to ask me to walk away from everything I'd say yes. Then I remembered you would never force an ultimatum on me…"
"I could never ask you to choose between me and your family. They are a part of you and because I love everything about you I already love them as well."
As soon as the last syllable escapes her lips, she finds himself interlocked in a kiss. The tender touch they share makes the world around them disappear. There isn't anything else in the world except the burning flame of their love. Something about this moment makes Anton feel like everything will be alright from now on. All that pain, hate, and emptiness he'd felt for so long all seemed worth it now. Dominique made everything worth it.
"I love you," he says, and the words almost don't seem adequate enough to describe his true feelings for this beautiful woman.
She lets out a single laugh. "You don't know how long I dreamt of you saying that to me. Are you sure?"
Now it's his turn to laugh. "I'm sure. I love you Dominique – do you have a middle name? I suppose I should have asked you that before you got me into bed now that I think about it."
"We haven't slept together," she says shyly.
"You still got me into bed."
Dominique laughs again. "Elayna. My middle name is Elayna."
"Elayna," he tests out the name. "I like it. Well, Dominique Elayna Weasley I would like to say to you that I am completely, irrevocably in love with you. I love you now and I will love you tomorrow, and every day until you decide that you're beyond too good for me."
"Never," she moves closer to him. "I'll never think that because I'm completely, irrevocably in love with you too. I have been from the moment I met you all those years ago."
He wipes the tear that had fallen down her cheek with his thumb. "You don't know how long I've been searching for you."
For so long Anton had wandered blindly in search for who he'd thought had been Darcy and now he knew that it had been Dominique all along.
"I was never far away."
"I'm going to make it up to you Dominique," he promises. "I'm going to make up for all those years ago when I should have been brave and made you mine from the start."
"It would have saved us a lot of time."
He chuckles, nodding in agreement.
"I know about Stefan…" she says.
"What about him?"
"My mother told me that he suffered a burglary and it cost him his…manhood. It was you, wasn't it?"
"I just wanted to make sure that both my past and yours was put to rest."
"Anton, no! What if he presses charges against you?"
"He won't. We reached an agreement."
She sighs. "You shouldn't have had to dirty your hands for me."
"I don't regret what I did. And I know that it won't change what he did, but it was a small price for him to pay."
"Did it hurt him?" she whispers.
Anton recalls the screams of agony that Stefan had given. "Quite," he replies.
"Good. I don't…I don't ever want to talk about him again, okay?"
"Okay."
Dominique breathes out deeply, smiling shortly after. "What happens now?"
"We let Scorpius and Lily take the all the major hits and then we tell everyone we're also madly in love – OW!"
She draws her hand back after the hard pinch she'd just giving him. "We are not allowing them to take any hits for us!"
"It was a joke!"
"You're such a child."
"Mummy is that you?" he quips.
Dominique pursed her lips unamused. "You're going to make me regret this aren't you?"
"For the rest of your life," he steals her retort with a passionate kiss, her soft moan mending the final piece of his once broken world.
"Twins?" Anton repeats as the healer coaxed another push from Dominique. Somewhere near the window is his mother with his newborn son safe in her arms, heavy rain beating down on the manor.
The sound of thunder is nothing compared to the loud cry that echoes through their bedroom after another ten minutes of intense labor. Dominique's striking features now absolutely drained as her head fell back against the soft pillows behind her.
"It's a girl," the healer announced.
Dominique laughed. "Go to her," she says to Anton. "Go meet our surprise and then bring her to me."
He nods, placing a kiss on her forehead before moving over to the end of the bed where the healer was waiting for him to cut the umbilical cord. Once the spell is said the baby is quickly cleaned and covered in a soft blanket to match her brother's own.
"You were definitely not what I was expecting," he says to the infant once in his arms. Unlike her brother, Edric, she had inherited his dark hair and her eyes that were wide open were emerald green. "But you are no less dear to me."
Rain fell around them suddenly, drawing them apart from their kiss. The once cloudless sky had darkened and as it was known to happen in England had released a downpour within second.
"They say April showers are the most beautiful," she laced her arms around his neck.
"Is that so?"
"Mhmm. April showers bring the flowers of May and it's a reminder that even the most unpleasant of things, in this case the heavy rains of April, can bring about very enjoyable things indeed – even an abundance of flowers in May. It gives way to new life."
He smiles at her explanation. "What's today?"
"April 3rd."
"Then today marks the beginning of my life with you."
Her lips press against his once more, not at all caring that they were completely drenched or that their magic had found each other's and made a tree that had yet to bloom next to them come to life with an abundance of blossoms.
"Edric and Elayna," the healer writes out the names carefully on the birth certificates. "Born April 3rd."
April. April makes all things new.